Make a Fridge colder

[bgmac]

I have an older fridge in my garage that I store and serve kegs from. Is there anyway to trick out the thermostat to make it colder? No matter what the temperature in the garage (45-85F), the fridge stays at 38F. I would like it to get down to the low 30s like 33-35F to speed up cold crashing and clearing beer. Its the typical home style fridge/freezer with the freezer on top and fridge on the bottom style. I have the thermostat turned all the way down to the coldest setting.

I have an ink bird controller if I bypass the thermostat but am concerned about the defrost timer/cycle. Would by passing the thermostat cause a safety issue with the defrost system? It would be convenient to control it down to the lower 30s and still have the defrost function work.

Any ideas?

 

[day_trippr]

Check out this thread for a potential solution.

It's almost certain a fridge that old uses the same bulb and capillary mechanical thermostat, and they have to provide some way to set them in the factory, so I'm betting if you can pull the oem thermostat out and look at it carefully you'll find the same adjustment screw and can see what happens when you change it...

Cheers!

 

[bgmac]

Check out this thread for a potential solution.

It's almost certain a fridge that old uses the same bulb and capillary mechanical thermostat, and they have to provide some way to set them in the factory, so I'm betting if you can pull the oem thermostat out and look at it carefully you'll find the same adjustment screw and can see what happens when you change it...

Cheers!

Good idea. I will pull the thermostat tomorrow and see if there is an adjustment screw on the unit.

 

[bgmac]

This is the thermostat on my fridge. do you think the hole just above the center post where the knob attaches is an adjustment screw to set the temp? I haven't disassembled it yet and found this pic online.
I didn't see any type of adjustment fixture on the back side picture.

 

[day_trippr]

No idea, but from what I've read the adjustment screw is typically covered with a foil label.
So I'd be looking for that...

Cheers!

 

[bgmac]

No idea, but from what I've read the adjustment screw is typically covered with a foil label.
So I'd be looking for that...

Cheers!

I will see what I can find.

 

[TechFanMD]

If 38F is the best you can do, add a fan. That beer will cool more quickly with air circulation at 38* than if you can get it down to 33* but no circulation.

Of course 38 will be the lowest you get, but it will be much quicker.

 

[bgmac]

If 38F is the best you can do, add a fan. That beer will cool more quickly with air circulation at 38* than if you can get it down to 33* but no circulation.

Of course 38 will be the lowest you get, but it will be much quicker.

Good idea. I have a few small 110v computer fans. I will rig one up blowing across the kegs. I tore into the vent area between the freezer and fridge this morning and found the flapper only partial open and off track. I pushed out out of the way and doubled the air flow coming into the fridge section from the freezer. That might drop it a few degrees. Will see how the temps are looking in a couple of hours.

 

[bgmac]

Well, the damper did it. Dropped down to 32-33 and started forming ice on a test cup of water in the fridge. Closed it up a little, don't want to freeze the beer.